Natasha Kills, a notoriously harsh judge on the show, eviscerated the contestant, claiming his style borrowed too much from her husband and fellow judge Willy Moon's look. Irving's apparent crime was that he also likes to wear suits and hair gel for performances.

"I personally found it absolutely artistically atrocious." Kills told Irving, "I am embarrassed to be sitting here in your presence having to even dignify you with an answer of my opinion.”

Not to be outdone, Moon chimed in to call Irving creepy, comparing him to the notorious serial killer Norman Bates "dressing in his mother's clothing."

Lorde would not sit idly by watching a young singer's dreams crushed, so she sent him some cupcakes and a few words of encouragement.

In remarks attributed to CEO Mark Weldon, the broadcast owner said "X Factor" judges are expected to provide critiques of performances, but "we will not tolerate such destructive tirades" and that Kills and Moon were leaving the show immediately.

Maybe Lorde should take a break from her busy schedule to pick up the slack. She would never get angry at a contestant for being born with curly hair.

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